So Runs the World Away

"So Runs the World Away" is the sixth full-length studio album by American singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. It was released on vinyl record on April 17, 2010 as a part of Record Store Day in the United States. The vinyl record came packaged with a CD version of the album as well.The official album release was April 23, 2010 in Ireland, and May 4, 2010 worldwide. Ritter said of the album that it "marks the beginning of a new period in [his] life," and that overall, "the songs are larger and more detailed, and feel to me as if they were painted in oil on large canvasses." Ritter got the title from a line in the third act of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
The record's release was met with high anticipation and covered by multiple news and media publications. Stephen King reported looking forward to the album. Irish music magazine Hot Press featured "Josh Ritter week" with free track downloads from the album, front cover picture, and interviews. Upon its release the album was met with very strong reviews. The Irish Independent called it "Ritter's most intriguing and rewarding album to date, it's easily his most diverse." Bob Boilen of NPR's All Songs Considered said of the album, "I've come to expect good records from him...but this one took my breath away."
The album reached #1 on the US Billboard Folk Albums Chart.